Dowling classmates compete in 2026 College World Series
By Scott Reister
Click here for updates on this story
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) — Teagan Kavan just won her second straight Women’s College World Series with Texas. The dominant pitcher became the first softball player to ever repeat as the Most Outstanding Player.
Infielder Cooper Nicholson starts for North Carolina, which is currently one of the last teams standing in the Men’s College World Series in Omaha.
And they both call West Des Moines home. In fact, they’ve known each other nearly their entire lives, both attending Sacred Heart School in West Des Moines.
“We grew up together,” Nicholson said. “We went to the same middle school, then high school. We actually know each other pretty well.”
They each graduated from Dowling Catholic High School in 2023. Nicholson went to Iowa Central Community College for two years. He played so well he got a scholarship to North Carolina, a team he watched in the College World Series as a kid. Now he’s got a real shot at winning a World Series, just like his longtime friend and classmate Teagan Kavan.
“Growing up, Cooper was always one of the most athletic kids in our class,” Kavan said. “He showed everybody up in PE and was always super competitive. I’m not surprised that he’s doing the things that he’s doing and is now playing at the World Series, which I’m sure is a dream for him, too. It’s super awesome that we have both got to that feat in our careers.”
“I have always dreamed of being that college kid that could play baseball and compete for a national championship,” Nicholson said. “Here I am. It’s pretty surreal.”
UNC is 2-0 in the CWS. They have two chances to beat West Virginia Wednesday and advance to the Championship Round. First pitch is 1 p.m. in Omaha.
Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.